U.S. patent application number 14/721104 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-01 for beverage cooler.
The applicant listed for this patent is MARK KEVIN GANNON, IVAN HERNANDO ROS. Invention is credited to MARK KEVIN GANNON, IVAN HERNANDO ROS.
Application Number | 20160347598 14/721104 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57399483 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160347598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GANNON; MARK KEVIN ; et
al. |
December 1, 2016 |
BEVERAGE COOLER
Abstract
A beverage cooler system includes a wheeled cabinet having
coiled tubing embedded within a thermally conductive medium such as
cast aluminum, the tubing connected by one end to a spout for
dispensing the beverage into containers such as mugs or cups. The
opposite end of the tubing is connected by hoses to a beverage
source, such as a beer keg, stowed within the cabinet along with a
cylinder of pressurized gas for impelling the beverage through the
tubing. Means are included within the cabinet for storing the spout
tower. A drink rail at least partially surrounds a platform surface
adjacent the spout tower, the platform also including a drain for
spillage connected to an internal waste container. The cabinet skin
may be employed to display advertising or decorative images. A
table top version includes the beverage cooling chamber but no
wheels nor storage chamber.
Inventors: |
GANNON; MARK KEVIN; (Fort
Worth, TX) ; ROS; IVAN HERNANDO; (Barcelona,
ES) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GANNON; MARK KEVIN
ROS; IVAN HERNANDO |
Fort Worth
Barcelona |
TX |
US
ES |
|
|
Family ID: |
57399483 |
Appl. No.: |
14/721104 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D 1/0891 20130101;
B67D 2210/00039 20130101; B67D 2210/00031 20130101; B67D 1/16
20130101; B67D 2210/00044 20130101; B67D 1/0857 20130101; B67D 1/04
20130101; B67D 2210/00139 20130101; B67D 1/0412 20130101; B67D
2210/00041 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B67D 1/08 20060101
B67D001/08; B67D 1/16 20060101 B67D001/16; B67D 1/04 20060101
B67D001/04 |
Claims
1. A beverage cooler for dispensing small quantities of chilled
beverage, said beverage cooler comprising a cabinet having a
cabinet bottom, a cabinet top and cabinet walls surrounding a
cabinet interior; a cooling block disposed within said cabinet
interior juxtaposed said cabinet bottom, said cooling block having
at least one length of thermally conductive tubing arrayed in at
least one tubing coil disposed above and parallel to said cabinet
bottom, said length of tubing having a first tube end and a second
tube end, said first and second tube ends protruding from said
cooling block; and a sheath of thermally conductive medium
surrounding said at least one tubing coil, said sheath having a
sheath length and a sheath width forming a substantially planar
body sized to be coextensive with said cabinet bottom; an ice
chamber disposed above said cooling block within said cabinet
interior, said ice chamber adapted to confine a supply of ice in
thermal contact with said thermally conductive medium of said
cooling block; drainage means disposed within said cabinet interior
and adapted to drain moisture from said ice chamber; beverage
supply means coupled to said first tube end for supplying said
beverage to said cooling block; and dispensing means coupled to
said second tube end for dispensing said beverage from said
beverage cooler.
2. The beverage cooler of claim 1 wherein said cabinet interior
comprises an upper and a lower chamber, each of said upper and
lower chamber having upper and lower chamber bottoms and upper and
lower chamber walls; said cooling block is disposed within said
upper chamber juxtaposed said upper chamber bottom; and said
beverage supply means is disposed within said lower chamber.
3. The beverage cooler of claim 2 and further comprising wheels
disposed on opposite sides of said cabinet adjacent said lower
chamber bottom; a handle disposed on said cabinet above said wheels
and adjacent said cabinet top; doors disposed within said cabinet
walls and adapted to open to provide access to said lower chamber
interior; an access hatch disposed within said cabinet top and
adapted to provide access to said upper chamber; at least one spill
drain disposed within said cabinet top juxtaposed said dispensing
means and adapted to collect beverage spilled during said
dispensing of said beverage; and a temperature gauge disposed on
said cabinet and coupled to said cooling block.
4. The beverage cooler of claim 1 wherein said beverage supply
means comprises a beverage container having an interior containing
said beverage; a gas input port coupled to said interior; and a
beverage output port coupled to said interior; a gas canister
pneumatically coupled to said input port; a pneumatic hose coupled
between said beverage output port and said first end.
5. The beverage cooler of claim 1 wherein said dispensing means
comprises a spigot mast mounted to said cabinet at least one spigot
mounted to said spigot mast and coupled to said second tube end;
and at least one spill drain disposed within said cabinet top below
said spigot and adapted to collect beverage spilled during
dispensing of said beverage from said spigot.
6. The beverage cooler of claim 5 wherein said spigot mast is
adapted to articulate between an upright position for dispensing
said beverage and a stowed position within a mast storage cavity
within said cabinet top.
7. The beverage cooler of claim 6 wherein said spigot mast pivots
between said upright position and said stowed position.
8. The beverage cooler of claim 1 wherein said spigot mast has a
longitudinal axis disposed substantially normal to said cabinet
top; and said spigot mast articulates along said longitudinal axis
between an extended position disposed substantially above said
cabinet top for dispensing said beverage and a stowed position
substantially below said cabinet top.
9. The beverage cooler of claim 1 and further comprising a rail at
least partially surrounding said cabinet top and adapted to confine
to said cabinet top beverage containers resting on said cabinet
top.
10. The beverage cooler of claim 9 wherein said rail pivots about a
transverse axis substantially within a plane of said cabinet top
between a deployed position elevated a spaced distance above said
cabinet top and a stowed position recessed within said cabinet
top.
11. The beverage cooler of claim 1 wherein said at least one length
of thermally conductive tubing comprises a tubing diameter and a
tubing length selected to cause twelve ounces of said beverage to
be chilled from ambient temperature upon entering said first tubing
end to a temperature between fifty degrees Fahrenheit and sixty
degrees Fahrenheit upon leaving said second tubing end.
12. The beverage cooler of claim 11 wherein said beverage is
chilled within fifteen seconds.
13. A beer cooler for chilling and dispensing beer, said beer being
contained at ambient temperature before being chilled while
dispensed, said beer cooler comprising a cabinet having a cabinet
bottom, a cabinet top and cabinet walls surrounding and defining
cabinet interior; a cooling block disposed within said cabinet
interior, said cooling block having thermally conductive tubing
arrayed in a planar tubing coil disposed above and parallel to said
cabinet bottom, said planar tubing coil having an inlet end and an
outlet end; and thermally conductive medium surrounding said planar
tubing coil and forming a shallowly dished surface disposed a
spaced distance above said cabinet bottom, said cooling block
further surrounding and defining a central drain; beer supply means
coupled to said inlet end for supplying said beer to said cooling
block; and dispensing means coupled to said outlet end for
dispensing said beer from said beer cooler.
14. The beer cooler of claim 13 wherein said thermally conductive
tubing is selected from a group of conductive tubing having an
inside diameter of five sixteenths inch and a length of eighty-nine
feet; and an inside diameter of three eighths inch and a length of
eighty-seven feet.
15. An improved method of cooling beverages, the method comprising
providing a beverage cooling chamber having a chamber top, a
chamber bottom and chamber walls surrounding and defining a chamber
interior; providing a cooling block disposed within said chamber
interior juxtaposed said chamber bottom, said cooling block having
at least one length of thermally conductive tubing arrayed in at
least one tubing coil disposed substantially parallel to said
chamber bottom, said length of tubing having a first tube end and a
second tube end, said first and second tube ends protruding from
said cooling block; and a sheath of thermally conductive medium
surrounding said tubing coil, said sheath having a sheath length
and a sheath width forming a substantially planar body sized to be
coextensive with said chamber bottom; providing beverage supply
means coupled to said first tube end; providing dispensing means
coupled to said second tube end; providing a supply of ice disposed
atop said cooling block within said chamber interior; then
operating said beverage supply means to introduce a first portion
of said beverage into said cooling block; and operating said
dispensing means to dispense said first portion of said beverage
from said cooling block whereby said first portion of said beverage
is chilled by said supply of ice as it passes through said at least
one length of conductive tubing within said cooling block, and
whereby a second portion of said beverage remaining within said
beverage supply means remains unchilled.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to liquid cooling systems
and particularly to systems for cooling potable beverages. More
particularly, this invention relates to a beverage cooler which
chills small amounts of a beverage while it flows through a cooling
block, requiring no refrigeration equipment nor electricity.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Traditional beverage coolers, most commonly used for
chilling draught beer from kegs, include three elements: (a) a
container large enough for embedding the keg in ice for cooling all
of the beer contained within the keg; (b) a valve for dispensing
the beer from the keg, with concomitant connective tubing, usually
plastic; and (c) means for impelling the beer from the keg toward
the valve.
[0005] One common configuration includes a mast that couples
directly to the keg at a port designed for the purpose, the mast
including a manual pump which may be operated occasionally to pump
air into the keg to raise its internal pressure so that beer will
be forced out through the port and into a length of flexible hose
connected thereto. A thumb valve on the end of the hose dispenses
the beer.
[0006] Another configuration common in commercial settings includes
a refrigerated cabinet to contain the keg, an electric pump for
pressurizing the keg and hoses, usually with an inert gas such as
nitrogen, and a pub-style lever handle mounted on a mast disposed
at a convenient location for dispensing the beer into drinking
containers. In a pub setting, the mast commonly is mounted to a
counter top or bar, perhaps to a station which includes a drain for
collecting spilled beer. In other settings, the mast may be mounted
to a cabinet that contains a refrigerated chamber enclosing the
keg, and another chamber for the pump and electrically powered
chilling equipment. The cabinet may or may not include wheels for
adjusting the location of the cabinet.
[0007] The manual system described above provides the advantage of
not requiring electricity, but it is unsightly, messy, heavy and
cumbersome to handle, particularly when assembled. It also requires
frequent and periodic manual pumping to keep the beer flowing and a
large quantity of ice, which may have to be replenished
periodically, to chill the entire keg at once. The commercial
system described above overcomes some of the impediments of the
manual system, but it is comparatively expensive and requires a
source of electricity for the pump and chilling equipment. Both
systems also require chilling the entire keg at once, a practice
that can be detrimental to the beer contained inside if it is
allowed to warm up again before the keg is emptied. A need exists
for a system and method for chilling small quantities of beer from
a keg without creating a long-term detrimental effect on the unused
beer.
[0008] A plurality of prior art devices attempt to address with
varying successes, none complete, the foregoing disabilities of the
conventional prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 7,363,962, issued Apr. 29,
2008, to Cleland (Cleland '962), describes a cold plate for
dispensing beer and having a series of beverage conducting tubes
interleaved with coolant conducting tubes, both being encased
within a cast aluminum jacket. Cleland '962 includes multiple
tubing coils instead of a single coil, and obviously requires a
separate chilling source to chill and circulate glycol within the
coolant conducting tubes. Cleland '962 essentially comprises a
traditional heat exchanger mechanism which is overly complex for
the purposes of the present invention.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,418, issued Aug. 8, 2000, to Kyees
(Kyees '418), presents an apparatus for cooling fluids having at
least two coiled fluid lines embedded within a cast aluminum block.
Each pair of the coiled fluid lines is juxtaposed and stacked one
atop its mate with the inner tube ends of each pair tied together
with a manifold disposed near the center of the apparatus. The
opposite ends of each of the coil pairs protrudes from the aluminum
block and has separate connections. The coils are formed in a
concave configuration around a central portion which may serve as a
drain for the chamber above the apparatus. The chamber holds a
quantity of ice which transfers to the aluminum block by contact
and thereby to the fluids in the tubes by conduction. Kyees '418 is
intended for the commercial setting described above, wherein
carbonated soft drinks having constituent fluids (e.g. carbonated
water and syrup) first are cooled and then mixed downstream of the
apparatus before dispensing into individual drinking containers.
Kyees '418 uses ice, and therefor could be employed without a
source of electricity, assuming the presence of a source of force
to impel the fluids through the tubes. Kyees '418, however,
contemplates multiple coils with multiple outlets, thereby making
it too large and unwieldy for purposes of the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A beverage cooler system includes a wheeled cabinet having
coiled tubing embedded within a thermally conductive medium such as
cast aluminum, the tubing connected by one end to a spout for
dispensing the beverage into containers such as mugs or cups. The
opposite end of the tubing is connected by hoses to a beverage
source, such as a beer keg, stowed within the cabinet along with a
cylinder of pressurized gas for impelling the beverage through the
tubing. Means are included within the cabinet for storing the spout
tower. A drink rail at least partially surrounds a platform surface
adjacent the spout tower, the platform also including a drain for
spillage connected to an internal waste container. The cabinet skin
may be employed to display advertising or decorative images. A
table top version includes the beverage cooling chamber but no
wheels nor storage chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The novel features believed characteristic of the present
invention may be set forth in appended claims. The invention
itself, as well as a preferred mode of use and further objects and
advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description of at least one particular
embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0012] FIGS. 1A-1D show a particular embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows in upper, quartering perspective, the
embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1D.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows in top plan view a cooling block of the present
invention.
[0015] FIGS. 4A-4B detail in side elevational and top plan views,
respectively, tubing coils integral with the cooling block of FIG.
3.
[0016] FIG. 5 details in expanded side elevational view the tubing
coils of FIGS. 4A-4B.
[0017] FIGS. 5A-5B detail an alternate embodiment of the cooling
block of FIG. 3 and having two sets of tubing coils instead of just
one.
[0018] FIGS. 6A-10C detail several alternate embodiments of means
for storage of the spigot tower of the present invention when not
in use.
[0019] FIGS. 11A-11B details alternate embodiments of a drink rail
atop the present invention.
[0020] FIGS. 12A-12B depict another embodiment of the present
invention in the form of a table top version of the beverage
cooler.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Referring now to the figures, and particularly to FIGS.
1A-1D and 2, cooler 10 includes cabinet 11 supported by wheels 12
and prop 14. Atop cabinet 11, platform 17 supports one or more
spillage drains 18 which collect beer spilled during dispensing
into a waste receptacle preferably stowed within the lower portion
of cabinet 11. At least a portion of platform 17 hingedly couples
to cabinet 11 and serves as an access door 22 which opens to reveal
ice chamber 20 adapted to contain a quantity of ice, dry ice or
synthetic chilling blocks (none shown). In the particular
embodiment of the referenced figures, access door 22 doubles as a
cutting board for a user (not shown) to chop condiments or the like
as desired. Where access door 22 is large enough to require it, a
prop (not shown) may supports door 22 above chamber 20.
[0022] Cabinet 11 preferably is fabricated from stainless steel
beam elements extending between platform 17 and a floor to which
wheels 12 and prop 14 couple. The remainder of cabinet 11 may be
fabricated from materials of lesser expense, such as plastic or the
like to finish cooler 10.
[0023] The skin surrounding cabinet 11 provides surfaces which may
be employed by commercial or private interests to convey messages.
For example, a beer supplier might emboss or paint its logo or some
beer enjoyment scene (not shown) onto solid portion 81 of cabinet
11. Additionally, perforated region 83, so included for the
functional purpose of, among other things, ventilation and
deterrence of growth of mildew and the like within cabinet 11, also
may be configured to convey a message, logo or decoration (not
shown) by employing variations in the perforations themselves. One
having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other means of
providing aesthetically pleasing or commercially promotional
messages or decorations on the skin of cabinet 11 may be employed
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Further, though illustrated with specific curvatures and
skin coverage, solid areas 81 and perforated areas 83 may vary
significantly without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
[0024] Door 15 opens to reveal interior chamber 16 wherein is
stored keg 1 and gas cylinder 22, as well as other accouterments
(not shown) used with cooler 10. Spigot 7, operated by lever 8, is
mounted on spigot tower 9 and couples to port 3 atop keg 1 by hoses
(not shown) which convey beer from keg 1 to be dispensed by spigot
7 into drinking vessels such as mugs or cups (neither shown). A
second set of hoses (not shown) couple gas cylinder 2 to the
interior of keg 1 to pressurize keg 1 and force beer into the hoses
toward spigot 7.
[0025] Unlike with prior art devices, keg 1 is not chilled, but
kept within cabinet 11 at ambient temperature. Instead, cooler 10
chills a quantity of beer by means of cooling coils described in
detail below. Thus, unused beer remaining within keg 1 remains at a
stable, substantially ambient temperature until it is dispensed.
This prevents the beer from deteriorating from changes in
temperature as with other prior art devices.
[0026] Turning now also to FIGS. 3-5C, the present invention
further comprises cooling blocks 30, 300 disposed immediately below
ice chamber 20 within cabinet 11. Blocks 30, 300 respectively
contain one and two sets of cooling tubing, as discussed in more
detail below. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that cooling blocks 30, 300 preferably are interchangeable and may
be used with either or both of the particular embodiments for a
beverage dispenser discussed herein.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5A for cooling block 30 having a
singe set of cooling coils, upper surface 33 of cooling block 30
forms the floor of ice chamber 20. Ice (not shown) rests directly
upon surface 33 to maximize conductive effects between the ice and
cooling block 30. As best seen in FIG. 4A, cooling block 30
comprises a comparatively shallow but wide, preferably rectangular
and more preferably substantially square block having a slightly
concave upper surface 33 forming recess 36 that slopes gently from
its perimeter adjacent side walls 35 to central drain 37. Drain 37
comprises a vertical aperture extending through the entire
thickness of cooling block 30 to its lower surface 34 where it
couples to a drain hose (not shown) which conducts melted ice and
condensation from within ice chamber 20 to a waste receptacle (not
shown).
[0028] Embedded within cooling block 30, coil 40 comprises two
layers of metallic tubing 41 bent in a series of substantially
right angle curves 46 to form substantially rectangular coils 40
coaxial and concentric around a central open region coaxial with
drain 37. Adjacent concentric loops of tubing 41 are tied together
at spaced intervals with ties 45 to stabilize their geometry and
juxtaposition, and the two layers of coils 40 are held in spaced
juxtaposition by transverse coil spacers 42. Except for protruding
input and exit ends 43, 44, the entire coil system 40 is embedded
in aluminum poured molten into a mold (not shown) to surround and
become thermally integrated with coils 40 and to form coil block 30
as a single unit. Temperature sensor 90 comprises probe 93 received
within probe port 96 of cooling block 30. Probe 93 couples between
coil block 30 and display 95 by cord 94, display 95 being
conveniently disposed above platform 17 in one of several
alternative locations (see FIGS. 13A-13D).
[0029] As best illustrated by FIG. 5 (dimentionally exaggerated for
illustration along the longitudinal axis of coils 40, coaxial with
drain 37), coils 40 are formed from a continuous length of metallic
tubing 41 without requiring any manifolds or solder joints between
input end 43 and output end 44. Tubing ends 43, 44 extend from the
largest single loops 49 of coils 40, which spiral inwardly by means
of successively shorter loops that nest tightly against adjacent
loops until they reach inner loop 48, whereupon the loops begin to
increase again in size until second coil 40 is formed. The two
coils stack one atop the other and are connected together by inner
loop 48, as best seen in FIG. 4A.
[0030] The dimensions of tubing 41 are selected with the benefit of
testing and experience to achieve ideal chilling of beer as it
passes from keg 1 toward spigot 7, thereby chilling a given
quantity of beer to a desired temperature (preferably approximately
fifty-five (55 deg. F.) degrees Fahrenheit within a select period
of time. Preferably, as beer is drawn from keg 1 under sufficient
pressure from gas cylinder 3 to fill a twelve (12 oz.) ounce cup
(not shown) in approximately five seconds, it is chilled within
coil block 30 rapidly enough that a continuous progression of cups
may be filled in ten- to fifteen-second intervals without
interruption until keg 1 becomes empty.
[0031] In a particular embodiment which meets the above criteria,
tubing 41 preferably comprises copper or aluminum tubing either (a)
five-sixteenths ( 5/16'') inch diameter and having a length of
eighty-nine (89 ft.) linear feet; or (b) three-eighths (3/8'') inch
diameter and having a length of approximately eighty-seven (87 ft.)
linear feet prior to being formed into coils 40. The thickness of
cooling block 30 (i.e. the separation between upper and lower
surfaces 33, 34), or alternately the thickness of aluminum
surrounding coils 40 may vary according to the above selection
criteria, while the outside horizontal dimensions of cooling block
30 will remain substantially the same so as to fit within cabinet
11 and to form the bottom of ice chamber 20. One having ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that the above dimensions comprise
one of an infinite array of possible lengths and diameters of
tubing 41 that will achieve the stated criteria, and that all such
variations in materials and dimensions are considered to be within
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0032] Regarding alternate cooling block 300 having two sets of
cooling coils 340, 350, all of the foregoing discussion of cooling
block 30 applies equally to cooling block 300 except as modified
herein after. Referring specifically to FIGS. 5B, 5C, and as best
seen in FIG. 5B, cooling coils 340, 350 preferably occupy separate
left and right halves of cooling block 300. This provides
substantially equal chilling effect to both coils 340, 350 due to
their proximity to the ice (not shown) resting on top surface 333
of cooling block 300. Presumably, and preferably, the ice is
substantially evenly distributed across surface 333, but one having
ordinary skill in the art will recognize that even if this isn't
the case, the thermal conductivity of cooling block 300 will
disperse disparate quantities of heat from coils 340, 350 through
cooling block 300, thereby mitigating or eliminating altogether any
differential in chilling effectiveness between coils 340, 350 due
to uneven distribution of ice on surface 333.
[0033] Inlet tube end 343 couples to one beverage supply, such as
beer keg 1, while inlet tube end 353 couples to a different
beverage supply (not shown). Outlet tube ends 344, 354 couple to
separate spigot means 9 preferably mounted to cabinet 11 or cabinet
111 (see FIGS. 12A, 12B) whereby a user (not shown) can access one
or both sources of chilled beverages.
[0034] Turning now also to FIGS. 6A-10C, various methods and means
are illustrated for storing tower 9, including spigot 7 and lever
8, for transportation and storage when cooler 10 is not in use.
Storing tower 9 away from its usage position atop platform 17
protects tower 9 and permits stacking of multiple coolers 10 for
inventory and transportation, a significant commercial
advantage.
[0035] As illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B, tower 9 may be removed and
stored in basket 62 within chamber 16 of cabinet 11 by removing
hoses (not shown) connecting it to keg 1 and then releasing a pin
holding tower 9 to platform 17. As seen in FIGS. 7A-7B, tower
storage recess 65 may be disposed within platform 17 beneath drain
18, the latter lifting up to expose recess 65 and tower 9 hingedly
pivoting at its base to fold down into recess 65 to be covered
again by drain 18. In this case, as with other alternate
embodiments discussed below, there is no need to remove the hoses
connecting tower 9 to keg 1, and, after flushing and cleaning in
place, they may remain in place for the next usage of cooler
10.
[0036] FIGS. 8A-10C illustrate apparatus whereby tower 9 also need
not pivot into horizontally disposed recess 65 as shown in FIGS.
7A, 7B, but instead articulate vertically from within vertically
disposed recess 65 from a stored position to a usage position. In
FIGS. 8A-8C, tower 9 rotates, bayonet style, to be locked first in
a stored position, with spigot 7 and lever 8 protected within
recess 65, then unlocked by rotation into a vertical extension
position and lifted into a usage position, whereupon it rotates
into a locked usage position, with spigot 7 facing platform 17. In
FIGS. 9A-9F, pressure from gas cylinder 3 automatically lifts tower
9 into a usage position when the control valve (not shown) for gas
cylinder 3 is opened. In this embodiment, spigot 7 and lever 8 are
retracted into tower 9, and spigot 7 is extended for usage by
manually lifting lever 8, as illustrated in FIGS. 9D-9F. As seen in
FIGS. 10A-10C, tower 9 simply retracts into recess 65 beneath
access panel 22 and can be manually lifted into a usage position
with a handle atop tower 9. One having ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that other means of retracting and storing tower 9
may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
[0037] Turning now also to FIGS. 11A-11B, two means for providing
drink rail 71 atop platform 17 are displayed, rails 71 deterring
drink cups (not shown) from inadvertently being knocked off of
cooler 10 while other cups (also not shown) are being filled. In
FIG. 11A, substantially horizontal bar 71 is disposed transverse
platform 17 opposite tower 9 and retracts into recess 73 disposed
parallel to the front face of cabinet 11. In FIG. 11B, rail 71
comprises a rectangularly U-shaped bar that pivots adjacent tower 9
from bar recess 73 to a select height above platform 17, thereby
better surrounding platform 17 and accommodating more cups sitting
on platform 17 (not shown). One having ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that other apparatus and means of providing
retractable rails atop platform 17 may be employed without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0038] Turning now also to FIGS. 12A, 12B a table top version 100
of the present invention includes cabinet 111 surrounding and
defining chamber 104. Two spigot means 9 are mounted on one wall,
and lit 117 provides access from above into chamber 104. Since two
spigot means 9 are provided, presumably cooling block 300 rests in
the bottom of interior 104 and forms the bottom thereof. As
discussed above, a quantity of ice (not shown) may rest and fill
the remaining volume of interior 104. Outlet tube ends 344, 354 are
shown stubbed out from cooling coil 300 but remaining within the
walls of 111 where they connect to tubing (not shown) that couples
them to spigot means 9. Inlet tube ends 343, 353 also stub out from
cooling coil 300, but extend beyond the walls of cabinet 111 where
they couple to external beverage supplies (not shown) which
preferably are stored nearby, such as below a table (not shown) on
which table top cooler 100 rests. Drain 337 also stubs out below
cooling coil 300 where it couples to an exterior drain line (not
shown) and either to a waste receptacle or simply drains onto the
ground (neither shown). Handles 116 on opposite sides of cabinet
111 may be provided for lifting and carrying table top cooler 100,
and temperature gauge 92 may be provided, coupled to cooling block
300 as discussed above, to give users (not shown) an indication of
the termparature of the beverage they're about to dispense.
[0039] In operation, a beer supplier may provide cooler 10 as an
accommodation to customers in lieu of more conventional apparatus.
The beer supplier could install keg 1 ordered by the customer and
hook up gas cylinder 3 and the respective hoses necessary to impel
beer from keg 1 through cooling block 30 to spigot tower 9. Cooler
10 could be delivered so equipped, because it would not be
necessary to chill keg 1 in advance. The user then could be given
instructions as to how to extend tower 9, turn on gas cylinder 3,
insert ice into ice chamber 20, and pour ideal quantities of beer
using spigot 7. The user would not be required to provide so much
ice as necessary to chill the entire keg 1, but perhaps could
supply enough from a conventional refrigerator ice maker.
[0040] Cooler 10 also could be acquired by a user for his personal
ownership, and for storage of keg 1 for lengthy periods of time
without concern for harming the unused beer inside keg 1. In such
case, the user would find a substantially permanent location for
cooler 10 and simply re-load it with ice or ice equivalents as
needed to chill a cup or two of beer when desired. There would be
no need to keep cooler 10 constantly refrigerated, as with
conventional home beer chillers of the prior art.
[0041] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to preferred and alternate embodiments, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes
in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. For example, cooling block 30
could be used in other apparatus than just a portable beer
dispenser such as cooler 10. Cooling block 30 could be combined
with multiple other cooling blocks to achieve the benefits of prior
art reference Kyees '418, where different fluids are chilled prior
to being mixed downstream of cooling blocks 30 and then fed into a
dispenser nozzle such as spigot 7. A single ice chamber 20 could be
configured to hold multiple cooling blocks 30 for this purpose.
Further, the figures depict cooling block 30 disposed substantially
horizontally, with drain 37 provided to siphon off melted ice, but
cooling block 30 could be mounted vertically, on one of its side
walls 35 and dispense with the need for drain 37 or recess 36.
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